A NSW nurse will spend at least 21 months behind bars after her decision to take ice and speed down a rural road led to the death of Anne Bourke in early 2020.
On Wednesday, Katie Lee Holmes was sentenced to a maximum of three years and three months in jail after being found guilty of one count of dangerous driving occasioning death.
In delivering his decision, Judge Mark Williams recognised that any amount of jail time could not bring back a loved one tragically killed.
"No sentence imposed here today can ever restore Anne Bourke to her family or reverse the impact on her family and friends. No statement of regret and remorse will ever assuage the feelings of loss," he told Ms Bourke's family members present in Downing Centre District Court and listening online.
Holmes, 29, was also convicted of an alternative charge of driving a motor vehicle after taking an illicit substance.
She received a non-parole period of 21 months and will be eligible for parole on April 28, 2024. Her overall sentence was backdated for the 87 days she has spent in jail since a Newcastle District Court jury found her guilty in August.
While amphetamine and methamphetamine was detected by police on the evening of the February 2020 crash, Judge Williams said he could not determine beyond reasonable doubt whether the drugs had impaired Holmes' ability to drive.
The nurse was going around 30km/h over the speed limit at the time of the collision however.
Just before 11pm, Ms Bourke left the Heddon Greta Hotel in NSW's Hunter Valley to walk home. On crossing Main Road, the 47-year old was hit by Holmes' Mazda sedan and thrown into the air.
She died at the scene.
Earlier on Wednesday, family members recounted their heartbreak, pain and grief.
In a victim impact statement read through tears to the court, Ms Bourke's partner Dean Latter said he had big plans for 2020, including a marriage proposal.
"She was my rock, my soulmate, she was the one in a million and the most loving and caring person in the world," he said.
"In the blink of an eye, everything can change, so forgive often and love with all your heart. Take no one for granted because you never know what tomorrow will bring."
Family said they were relieved to get "justice for Anne" after the guilty verdict, but spoke of being mentally, socially and emotionally impacted by the sudden loss of a loved one as well as the drawn-out process of the police investigation and court proceedings.
"There is no normal anymore. Life goes on but it's hard to grieve at the same time so you feel like you're a passenger," her sister said.
Ms Bourke's mother spoke of the moment she was informed by police of her daughter's death at her home's horse stables.
"My whole body just went limp. I was in shock and heard myself repeat 'it can't be, it cant be'," she said in a statement read out to the court.
Ms Bourke's mother and sister said that while the family had endured ongoing punishment after the tragedy, Holmes was able to live her life "scott-free" while awaiting the outcome of the trial.
In handing down his sentence, Judge Williams took into account Holmes' troubled upbringing and her favourable chances of rehabilitation if psychological support and drug addiction assistance were provided.
The judge also suspended the nurse's driving licence for two years after she is released from prison.
